Founded in 2010, the HESPAL programme is a unique scholarship scheme supporting the capacity-building of academics and the institutional development of higher education institutions in Palestine. It fosters renewed, sustainable links between Palestinian and UK universities and builds lasting professional networks to support scholar’s longer-term career.

HESPAL cohort 2026/2027

This October, HESPAL welcomes 12 new scholars from Gaza (9 female, 3 male) to begin master's degrees at UK universities, in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and robotics to neuroscience and sustainable architecture. They join an existing group of 23 HESPAL scholars already studying across 14 UK universities, 16 of whom are expected to complete their studies by the end of September.

Watch our graduates share their experiences with HESPAL:

HESPAL aims to:

  • Contribute to the creation of Palestine’s next generation of senior academics.
  • Develop sustainable institutional links between Palestinian and UK universities.
  • Support professional networks to sustain the scholar’s longer-term career.

Applications for the HESPAL are now closed. 

The next cycle, for the 2027/2028 academic year, will open soon. Follow this page for updates on the application launch date and Guidance Notes.

The scholarship covers the main expenses for selected scholars, including:

  • Academic tuition fees, through fee waivers offered by participating UK partner universities.
  • A living allowance for the 12 months duration of master’s programmes.
  • Arrival allowance and thesis allowance.
  • An additional allowance (for 2026 scholars) to contribute toward visa, health insurance and/or travel costs.

Scholars are expected to cover all other expenses and any unforeseen costs.

Eligibility criteria for the 2027/2028 cycle will be confirmed when applications open.

For reference, the 2026/2027 cycle required applicants to be:

  • Palestinian from the Gaza Strip (including displaced Gazans).
  • Applying for a master’s programme only — PhD applicants are not eligible.
  • Employed by or part of the academic staff at a Gazan university.
  • Nominated by their Gazan university.

Applicants will be required to provide a valid English-language certificate accepted by the UK university to which they are applying.  

Women, displaced academics, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Support for applicants with disabilities will be provided where programme capacity and available funding allow.

Full guidance for the 2027/2028 cycle will be published when applications open. For reference, the 2026/2027 process required applicants nominated by their Gaza university to:

  1. Identifying the UK partner universities and preferred programme of study 
  2. Applying directly to at least three programmes offered by UK partner universities.
  3. Submitting the HESPAL online application and uploading the required supporting documents.      

Click here to go to HESPAL application.

The required documents for the 2027/2028 cycle will be confirmed when applications open. For reference, the 2026/2027 cycle required:

  • One recent passport sized photo.
  • Copy of Passport (or ID).
  • An official copy of the academic certificate for all higher education qualification including BA, MA or/and PhD (in English).
  • Nomination and proof of employment letter from home university.
  • A valid English-language certificate accepted by the UK university to which applicants are applying.

The list of UK partner universities will be updated for the 2027/2028 cycle. For reference, see the HESPAL UK partner universities for the 2026/2027 cycle.

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